Puncturable safety seal

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a puncturable cover for accessing the contents of a container, wherein the puncturable cover includes a plurality of segments separated by a plurality of score lines. In embodiments, the puncturable cover may be part of a storage device for holding dry goods, wherein the storage device includes a container configured to accommodate a volume of the dry goods, the container having a rim; the puncturable cover; and a lid configured to removably cover the puncturable cover, wherein before the puncturable cover is punctured, the score lines extend partially through a width of the puncturable cover.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments herein relate generally to consumer safety, and more particularly, to a puncturable safety seal for consumer goods, such as snacks.

Most dry goods containers have a safety seal to show consumers that the product has not been tampered with. However, once these seals are pulled off so that the consumer can access the dry goods, there is nothing to prevent the dry goods from spilling out of the container. Moreover, safety seals can be difficult to remove, causing a consumer grief.

Spill proof covers exist, but they are separate from the safety seals and often require a user to have separately purchased the spill proof cover and place it on the container after the safety seal has been removed. However, the spill proof covers may not fit every container, and removing the safety seal and placing the spill proof cover on the container may take time, which could be inconvenient, such as in the case of trying to give a toddler a snack in a moving vehicle.

Therefore, what is needed is a multi-functional puncturable safety seal.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a puncturable cover for accessing the contents of a container, wherein the puncturable cover includes a plurality of segments separated by a plurality of score lines. In embodiments, the puncturable cover may be part of a storage device for holding dry goods, wherein the storage device includes a container configured to accommodate a volume of the dry goods, the container having a rim; the puncturable cover; and a lid configured to removably cover the puncturable cover, wherein before the puncturable cover is punctured, the score lines extend partially through a width of the puncturable cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous details, examples, and embodiments of the invention are described. However, it will be clear and apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth and that the invention can be adapted for any of several applications.

The device of the present disclosure may be used to as a multi-functional puncturable safety seal for dry goods and may comprise the following elements. This list of possible constituent elements is intended to be exemplary only, and it is not intended that this list be used to limit the device of the present application to just these elements. Persons having ordinary skill in the art relevant to the present disclosure may understand there to be equivalent elements that may be substituted within the present disclosure without changing the essential function or operation of the device.

1. Puncturable Safety Seal

2. Cover Segments

3. Score Lines

The various elements of the device of the present disclosure may be related in the following exemplary fashion. It is not intended to limit the scope or nature of the relationships between the various elements and the following examples are presented as illustrative examples only.

By way of example, and referring to FIGS. 1-8, some embodiments of the puncturable safety seal of the present disclosure comprise a puncturable cover 16 having a plurality of segments 17, such as from about 2 to about 6 segments, separated by score lines 18, wherein before use, the score lines 18 extend partially through the width of the puncturable cover 16, as shown in FIG. 3. In embodiments, the score lines 18 may comprise a pressed puncturable pattern, wherein the pattern may separate the puncturable cover 16 into as many segments 17 as desired, and the pattern may have any design desired. However, in embodiments, each segment 17 may extend to an outer perimeter of the puncturable cover 16 such that no segment 17 is completely removed once the cover 16 is punctured by a user. The outer perimeter of the puncturable cover 16 on a surface opposite the score lines 18 may comprise an adhesive 19 such that the puncturable cover 16 may be attached to a rim of a container 12, as shown in FIG. 4.

In embodiments, the puncturable cover 16 may be attached to a container 12 with a lid 14, creating an overall storage device 10. The container 12 may include other features, such as a label 13.

FIGS. 6-8 show exemplary embodiments of a puncturable safety seal of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 6 shows a storage container 20 having a puncturable cover 22 with three segments 17 a and three straight score lines 18 a. FIG. 7 shows a storage container 30 having a puncturable cover 32 with four segments 17 b and curved score lines 18 b. FIG. 8 shows a storage container 40 having a puncturable cover 42 with four segments 17 c and straight score lines 18 c. In fact, the storage container of the present disclosure may include a puncturable safety seal having as many segments and score lines as desired, wherein the score lines may create any desired design. Additionally, while the puncturable cover of the present disclosure is shown as being circular, the cover is not limited to being circular and any desired shape is envisioned.

To use the puncturable safety seal of the present disclosure, a user may simply press on the puncturable cover 16 to break the cover at the score lines 18, as shown in FIG. 5, granting a user access to contents being held within the container 12. In some embodiments, the punctured cover 16 may function as a spill proof cover, preventing items within the container 12 from falling out of the container 12.

The puncturable cover of the present disclosure may be made of any suitable material and, in some embodiments, comprises a semi-rigid plastic. Suitable materials may include those capable of keeping contents inside the container fresh until the cover has been punctured.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A puncturable safety seal for easily accessing contents in a container, the puncturable safety seal comprising: a puncturable cover comprising a plurality of segments separated by score lines, wherein before use, the score lines extend partially through a width of the puncturable cover.
 2. The puncturable safety seal of claim 1, wherein the puncturable cover comprises from about 2 to about 6 segments.
 3. The puncturable safety seal of claim 1, wherein the score lines are straight.
 4. The puncturable safety seal of claim 1, wherein the score lines are curved.
 5. The puncturable safety seal of claim 1, wherein the puncturable cover comprises plastic.
 6. A storage device for holding dry goods, the storage device comprising: a container configured to accommodate a volume of the dry goods, the container having a rim; a puncturable cover attached to the rim, the puncturable cover comprising a plurality of segments separated by score lines; and a lid configured to removably cover the puncturable cover, wherein before the puncturable cover is punctured, the score lines extend partially through a width of the puncturable cover.
 7. The storage device of claim 6, wherein the puncturable cover comprises from about 2 to about 6 segments.
 8. The storage device of claim 6, wherein the score lines are a member selected from the group consisting of straight score lines and curved score lines.
 9. The storage device of claim 6, wherein the puncturable cover comprises plastic.
 10. The storage device of claim 6, wherein the puncturable cover is attached to the rim using an adhesive. 